Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Solano County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
25 issues in public safety
Public safety dispatcher market equity increase
The Board was scheduled to consider an 11.6% market equity raise for entry-level public safety dispatchers, raising the monthly range to $6,398.30–$7,777.17. Competitive pay helps the county recruit and retain the people who answer 911 calls.
Quarterly fire protection district meetings
The Board was scheduled to sit as the governing boards of the East Vallejo, Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts for their quarterly meetings.
Justice Campus flood gates
The board approved $4.9 million to start Phase 1 of security upgrades at the downtown Fairfield justice campus.
Winter storm and flood preparedness
A very strong El Niño is already driving up tides, Suisun's drainage district has declared early, and crews are prepping roads, culverts, and the Justice Campus flood walls. Residents are urged to clean their own culverts and sign up for Alert Solano before the first big storm flushes debris downstream.
Fire district cost-of-living raises
Suisun, Vacaville, and Montezuma Fire District employees get 3% cost-of-living raises, and the interim fire chief's salary range jumps to nearly $10,500 a month — with a permanent chief hire discussion to come back to the board.
West Nile virus warning
The acting public health officer warned that West Nile-positive mosquitoes are running high countywide, especially around Dixon and northern Solano, with two deaths already in Yolo County. Residents are urged to dump standing water, wear repellent, and get flu shots.
Vacaville Fire Protection District FEMA grants
The district accepted $709K in FEMA grants to buy a new water tender and a PPE extractor, retiring a 1971 water tender.
Fire alarm and suppression upgrades at county buildings
$876K for Phase 1 fire alarm replacement at three Fairfield county buildings, with Phase 2 fire suppression at the Administration Center server center to follow.
Domestic violence awareness and services
Supervisors recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hearing that the DA's office has filed 544 DV cases in nine months and advocates have served over 844 victims this year. Local services are expanding into Vallejo, including a supervised visitation program and an October 10 awareness walk.
Culturally informed suicide prevention for Native communities
A retired tribal caseworker told the Board suicide is the second leading cause of death in Native American communities and urged mental health services that reflect historical trauma and cultural context. The county's new public health-led prevention program pledged community-based coalition work.
Fall prevention services for seniors
With about 110,000 seniors in the county and falls the leading cause of injury death for people 65-plus, agencies described free programs providing grab bars, ramps and in-home safety assessments — though funding lapses have already forced one program to shut down temporarily.
Drug Medi-Cal program transition to county control
The Sheriff's Office will enroll eligible inmates in Medi-Cal starting July 1, 2026, under agreements with the state through June 2029. Connecting people in custody to health coverage can improve reentry outcomes.
Psychiatric inpatient services contract
The county locked in $767,390 with Sierra Vista Hospital for acute psychiatric inpatient beds for Medi-Cal beneficiaries through June 2028. This keeps treatment options available for residents in mental health crisis.
Car seat safety grant
A $140,000 state grant funds the Solano Car Seat Connection program for another year, helping families get and correctly install car seats.
Substance use treatment expansion grant
The county accepted $665,150 in state Proposition 36 funding to expand community-based substance use treatment and recovery support through March 2028.
Healthcare employee retention concerns
A physician assistant warned that scrapped retention bonuses, missing lab services, and contract negotiations could push healthcare workers out and delay patient care.
Emergency preparedness for power outages and extreme heat
A Vacaville resident described a 25-hour power outage with no cooling centers or timely public information, asking the county to improve notifications and support for seniors during outages and heat waves.
Advanced life support response at Sandy Beach
A resident urged the Board to make paramedic-staffed fire departments the automatic first response to medical calls at Sandy Beach.
New EMS advisory committee after SEMSC exit
Solano County is formally pulling out of the Solano Emergency Medical Services Cooperative JPA, putting ambulance oversight directly under the Board and county health officials. The new EMS advisory committee's makeup — and whether the contracted ambulance company gets a vote — was too contested to decide, so it comes back later.
Human Trafficking Task Force Effort
Supervisor James reported progress toward a Solano County Human Trafficking Task Force, with law enforcement and community partners planning follow-up meetings in the coming months.
Public Safety Radio Tower Site Agreements
The county will keep using city-owned land in Dixon and Rio Vista for its emergency radio towers at no cost for ten years — critical for sheriff, fire, and EMS radio coverage.
District Attorney Investigator classification update
The county wants to update the job specs for DA Investigators and Supervising Investigators, loosening the education requirement to accept relevant coursework like psychology, sociology, and corrections alongside criminal justice degrees. That could widen the hiring pool for the DA's office investigative staff.
Victim restitution services funding
A new state contract brings $233,559 to the District Attorney's office for victim restitution services over three years.
County withdraws from regional EMS joint powers authority
Solano County is formally pulling out of the Solano Emergency Medical Services Cooperative JPA, putting ambulance oversight directly under the Board and county health officials. The new EMS advisory committee's makeup — and whether the contracted ambulance company gets a vote — was too contested to decide, so it comes back later.
Ambulance contract RFP back on track
After delays and appeals, the county's ambulance services procurement is moving again, with the Medic Ambulance contract extended to December 1 to avoid service gaps.